Belgian prime minister submits government resignation to king

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever arrived at the Royal Palace this morning to submit the government’s resignation to King Philippe.

“Operative Information Center-OMM” reports that foreign media outlets have reported the development.

The decision was made after overnight budget negotiations ended without an agreement.

After a meeting lasting about an hour and a half, De Wever left the palace without speaking to journalists. The Royal Palace said afterward that King Philippe was considering the government’s resignation and would begin consultations with leaders of the coalition parties on November 3.

The king expressed regret that no agreement had been reached and stressed that the country could not afford a prolonged political crisis. He urged all sides to put the common interest first and show a willingness to compromise.

De Wever is expected to meet the king again on November 7.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot attributed the failure of the talks to numerous differences between the parties.

“If I tried to list all the disputed issues, it would go on forever,” he told Belgian media.

Belgium’s government must save 10 billion euros to comply with spending limits set by the European Union. Last year, the country’s budget deficit stood at 5% of gross domestic product, exceeding the EU limit of 3%. Belgium’s public debt has surpassed 735 billion euros, reaching more than 110% of GDP, compared with the EU’s 60% threshold. Following the failed talks, yields on Belgian government bonds also rose, increasing the country’s borrowing costs.

If King Philippe accepts the resignation of De Wever’s government, the possibility of early parliamentary elections in Belgium will come to the fore.